Keating back for Lions, Hadley out

As one premiership player returned to the Lions fold, another
controversially departed to conclude a busy trade week for
Brisbane.

Triple premiership player Clark Keating has returned to the
Lions - as the new ruck coach.

However, head coach Leigh Matthews was clearly disappointed with
premiership-winning midfielder Richard Hadley being traded to
Carlton.

Hadley moved to the Blues in exchange for pick 52 - much to
Matthews' frustration.

Hadley returned to the field this season for the first time
since the 2004 grand final after consecutive knee reconstructions
and Matthews was clearly keen to see the midfielder bounce back to
his best for the Lions.

"We were very disappointed that Richard Hadley asked to be
traded and that he wanted to leave this club," Matthews said.

"This will be the first summer for three years that Richard is
not in injury rehabilitation so we did not want to lose his
services.

"However, he would have gone to Carlton in the pre-season draft
so we eventually agreed to trade him for quite a low pick for a
player of his talents."

Melbourne gun midfielder Travis Johnstone was traded to
Brisbane, with the Lions handing the Demons a first-round draft
pick they had gained by trading young ruckman Cameron Wood to
Collingwood.

"The opportunity to pick up a top grade experienced midfielder
doesn't come around too often," Matthews said.

"Therefore sacrificing a young developing ruckman in Cameron
Wood was judged to be a reasonable trade from the Lions' point of
view.

"We have been able to obtain Travis Johnstone at a very
reasonable cost because the Melbourne Football Club will be paying
for the majority of his first year contract."

Matthews added Keating to his coaching staff, continuing his
trend of recruiting former players.

Keating - who retired last year - replaces former Adelaide
ruckman Shaun Rehn who left suddenly in early September after two
years at the post.

1191696157134-theage.com.auhttp://theage.com.au/news/SPORT/Keating-back-for-Lions-Hadley-out/2007/10/12/1191696157134.htmltheage.com.auAAP2007-10-12Keating back for Lions, Hadley outBreakingNewsSPORTPremium-BreakingSport